I've been working on a C.C. Sun Valley the past couple weeks, and since a backglass
was very much needed, I converted the glass along with the game into the AAB version.
Although I myself don't know of any, I'm very confident a handful were produce, which
would make it (to my knowledge) the first True 2 Player AAB.
I didn't have the glass digitized, so it's not super crisp, but much better than the original.
I just picked up the glass today, and after seeing it lit, I'm going to add an extra layer
of white vinyl cut out to form in the cut out areas to dull out some of the bulbs' over
brightness.
btw: For me, converting to AAB made a huge difference for game play..
The local Print Shop is in the process of making the new Score and
Instruction Cards to match the play of the game..

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Niiiice—big Sun Valley thumbs up from this Idaho kid.

Thanks! Idaho. Moscow!
I've been keeping up with the Moscow news..

Can anyone confirm for me (Pro or Con, but with very high certainty) that mid-1960's era Gottlieb EMs did *not* have what we'd consider formal Owner / Operator manuals ? Not referring to minimalist schematic diagrams here. I would have thought that such manuals went back even earlier than that. Like Slick Chick earlier, or even maybe to woodrails era ?

If not, as of WHEN did such manuals become fairly common ?

As far as I know, there were no actual manuals until early '70s; maybe around the era of Gottlieb's "High Hand". Sixties games and woodrails certainly did not have manuals.
"High Hand" also appears to be the first Gottlieb game to bear a copyright notice on the backglass.

It makes me wonder that up until that time Gottlieb thought with factory parts catalogs it wasn't needed. But as they got into the 70's, there was either pressure from numerous operators who suggested they make the manuals, or maybe someone within the company convinced them it would be beneficial. I would think someone like Wayne Neyens would have been able to answer that question. Purely speculation here......

I think late 60s for Williams manuals. There is a manual on Ebay for Touchdown (1967). Maybe that was an influence on Gottlieb?

Ok. An update from my brother who works at PBR.
"Steve Young tells me that Gottlieb manuals started in 197O with "Snow Derby"/"Snow Queen". "2001" was the first wedgehead with a manual in 1971. Steve then mentioned that "Super Jumbo", the first 4- player game and "Bowlette" had manuals."
In addition, he said that the add-a-ball versions did not have a manual.

1966 Gottlieb Central Park

No formal manual as noted above but a pretty good collection of manual contents, loose-leaf style. I don’t know if it is a complete collection, but all the paperwork is original. Purchased here on Market Classifieds from a current ad.

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That's a typical paper packet for a game from that era. They're usually incomplete or missing entirely.

More to the point, it shows why they consolidated some of the important stuff into a single document (as other manufacturers had already done) making it easier to find information needed by operators without losing loose paperwork.

Could be.....

Thanks to all responders. And glad you mentioned this, as it certainly implied the question as it relates to the other manufacturers.

Well, that explains what I found inside my Cross Town, in lieu of any unified publication.
And I was wondering as to WHY only parts catalogs seem to be referenced or linked for the mid- 60s Gottlieb pins. This at least provides some confirmation.

Just finished working up an excellent example of Golden Arrow! This game is a lot of fun and zippy!

- Cleaned and glazed back-glass, used window shields to block score reel areas from glaze
- Installed LED Warm White fast blink for "Game Over"
- Installed 40 Warm White 2SMD LEDs
- Hand clean score reels
- Cleaned rotary switch contacts
- Sonic cleaned
• score wheel mechs
• Ball-count mechs
- Replaced ball-count springs
• clock tension spring
• ratchet spring
- Switch clean and adjust
- Score reel were particularly dirty preventing normal operation
- Fully stripped playfield, cleaned with alcohol and lite magic eraser
- Installed
• PBR mini-flipper rebuild kit
• 61x Warm White 2SMD LEDs
- Replaced
• 9x ball guides
• pop bumper non-adhesive mylar
• 4x playfield bayonet lamp sockets
• 33x white star posts
• Pop-bumper sleeves
• 2x Flipper coils / sleeves
- Cleaned
• rotary switch contacts
• Targets cleaned
• 3-step plastic clean and polish all plastics
• Spinner
- Sonic cleaned
• Pop bumper mechs
• Pop bumper lamp holders
• Flipper mechs
• Chime mechs
- 24 hr walnut tumble metal polish
• Nuts
• Posts
• Ball stop
• Spinner arms
• Acorn fast nuts
- Metal polish with Mothers and brush wheel
• Legs
• Lock down bar
- Rust removal with Evapo-rust solution on feet
- Cleaned and removed paint from glass
- Installed 2 Warm White 2SMD LEDs coin backlights
- new 15' power cord

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(Moved to another thread)

I found an old photograph of my very first pinball machine (the lightbox anyway). Notice the high score date; 9-11-1979, and the score 658,490. I didn't keep it very long; maybe a couple of years, because it was modified with three inch flippers, and was ridiculously easy. Also, I just didn't like that funky beaded lightbox, especially as it looked standing next to my brother's "Subway". It wasn't in the greatest condition either. I sold it to a co-worker of my brother.
I didn't own another machine until almost ten years later, when I found a complete Gottlieb "Play Mates" in the trash.
To this day, I've never found another "Hearts and Spades" machine, although I have seen a few here and there over the years.

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I think it was 4 Hearts and Spades I've had. When I only had 2, I sold one thinking
I had a better one in the barn. Years later, I look and find out it wasn't the better one.
It had wear at both Kick Out holes, and then kept an eye out and eventually did get
in a nicer one. The spare Hearts & Spades I then had I traded for a nice King Arthur..

Jimmy is your brother?

No. Jimmy is not my brother, but my brother works at PBR part time. He winds coils. A friend of mine, Jerry, just recently took over the heat-stamping duties when Steve isn't doing it himself.
Jimmy used to work at the same company I worked for many years ago.

2 machines picked up this month, both need work but what else is there to do?

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Both a nice score. Lucky Hand is downright addictive. Congrats.

Pick up 2 more machines and double the fun (workload)

Bringing this specific machine into the collection today if you recognize it or owned before me.

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Not mine, but for sale on Marketplace. Don't think I've seen this one before.

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Got this one all cleaned up today. Cleaned, waxed, new rubber, bulbs, pop skirts, pop cap, ball. Still have to go through a stepper or two.

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Nice! Most challenging game in my collection.

I used to have one...
First dot matrix display pinball
Bravo Steve Kordek !

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Must be raining Bank-A-Balls. Brought this home today from moving sale. Seems to be in good shape with very nice backglass. All the little pool balls are in place. Says it was lightly played and everything works and scores.

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Very nice. Great find!

Great game. Will always be a desirable title.

I figure if I keep my collection within the wedgehead metal jewel post era, I’m good. I’ve got at least $1000 bucks just in metal jewel posts alone so far. At least at 6 bucks a pop these days if you’re lucky. Can you retire on parting out jewel posts?

When you only have a Champagne box to relevate your grandson !

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He appears younger than 16, breaking the posted rules.

For sure, but he is accompanied by a Champagne box !

Ok here is the lineup now with BaB added to EM row... looks like I need some new legs.

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I just realized I have a Ed Krynski fixation. Also turns out I'm an "Art" fan too

My vote for best Art-art, and a Gordon thrown in for good measure, though I think he did better work on other games

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Wayne was the master, but Krynski had some tremendously great designs. He actually designed far more titles than Wayne, according to the IPDB.

I’m 31, single, and recently bought a house.

I call this piece “tell me you’re a bachelor without telling me you’re a bachelor.”

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(Yes. That’s the dining room.)

Machine looks lonely, needs a friend.

The house has a full basement. Currently working to finish it, and then the rest of the herd will make its way down there. Until then, On-Beam is going to be an only child.

I agree SCUBA is probably one of Art's best efforts
One of my favorites of any EM artwork packages.

A dining room with a Beam-O-Meter!!!

What? How'd you know I'm not married?

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just bought this rare keeney colorama home, into the restoration queue. all there, parts are in the 2 plastic bags ontop of the head

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Great find
Hope you can find a BG without the faded reds
looks great otherwise

Looks a hell of a lot better to me! Time to order more 47 bulbs. Many used to get this machine looking normal again. I’ll never use the paper plate full of led’s.

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I am a staunch incandescent bulb guy for older games, but for fun I tried out one of the “Flaming” bulbs for the “Canal Street” lamp post. I begrudgingly admit I really like the effect in this case! Gotta a pretty good score tonight too!

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LEDs are a tool that can do great evil in the wrong hands. But used carefully, they can be used for good...

...and that lamp is looking real good!